Yesterday I went to West Nyack for the OCB Tri-State Championship /IFPA Bodybuilding & Figure Open & Masters Pro Qualifier I had learned about on thenaturalmusclenetwork.com. My trainer Cynthia came along as well as another friend and trainer at the NYSC, Matt. I was naturally very excited to go as I didn’t know what to expect. This was my first show ever  and I was anxious to see the contestant’s fitness level. Boy, I wasn’t disappointed!  The level was quite high indeed, although some routines could have been better and of course there was one or two “misfits”. However, on the whole, all the women and men were in excellent shape.  I have to say it will take some getting used to that orange tan they are all sporting, but on stage under the bright lighting it really helps outline the muscles and definitions. Up close it is quite scary and ‘Halloween’ like, and the women’s heavy make-up really take the pageant look to the next level. Glittery bikinis and high heels, manicured nails and bright smiles, paired with buff muscles and ZERO body fat is the final results of months and years of blood, sweat and tears and hard work at the gym. I admire all these individuals for their drive and dedication and really has increased my motivation to the max.  There is a regional championship at the same space on November 13th that I am eyeing – but first I have to research where to get a posing coach, learn about routines and all the other contest rules – not to mention continue lifting heavy, staying clear of more injuries and MOST important: DIET!! There are a lot of things to consider before deciding to take on figure competition – it requires enormous amounts of discipline, strength and dedication, not to mention FUNDS. Competing is very expensive, from the bikini suit (many girls spend upwards of $1,000 on a suit alone, and competitions require two suits each), coaching /personal training services, make-up, tanning, travel and membership fees to whatever organization that puts on the competition you decide to compete in. I think I have decided to join the NPC (National Physique Committee), as their competitors look to have more muscle and a leaner look that competitors from other organizations, in addition to the ability to down the line be able to qualify for the most sought after ‘trophy’, the IFBB pro card (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness).  More about that later – you can check out NCP here. For more info about the IFBB, click here.

Many people have come to me and will continue to come to me with their opinions, voicing my lifestyle as “extreme” and “obsessive”, and I have to be ready to tackle those opinions. Of course I receive a lot of positive and encouraging comments as well, which make up for the negative ones! I’m also lucky to have a very supportive husband, without that support it would be very difficult to incorporate my new passion into our daily lives . Luckily he understands that I am a person who always will need new challenges in my life in order to feel happy and fulfilled. In the end, it’s all about the great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction I will get from working hard and staying on track in order to reach my goal. Nothing beats that and going through all of the above will be well worth it to me, of that I’m sure!

Summer should definitely keep me on my toes as we shed more and more layers and expose our bodies to the sun… for the first time in my entire life I will have no problem showing some skin as I continue my forever lasting journey to “perfection”.. .:)